A.N. Dear Sunday friends, the murderer(s) is still at large but we have some resolution in other areas. Happy reading! I look forward to reading your review. Cheers Enid, from Sydney
Chapter Twelve
"I cannot believe that Mother is murdered," Elizabeth said, her face white with shock.
It was the morning after she and Darcy discovered her mother and Lord Radbourne dead. Based on the symptoms, Mrs. Bennet was believed to have died of cyanide poisoning. Elizabeth and Darcy spent most of the night answering the magistrate's queries, which were primarily focused on Jane and Richard. Darcy had not left her side, accompanying Elizabeth back to her grandmother's house, where he was invited to sleep in the guest quarters.
"Do you believe that your sister might be responsible?" Darcy asked her, looking rather exhausted. Jane and Richard were thought to have attempted to flee the house, after and accusation had been made that they were the last seen with Mrs. Bennet. They had not been arrested after the long night of questioning but were indeed still under suspicion. Lord Radbourne was seen vomiting blood and thought to have died of arsenic poisoning.
"Not any more than you might think Richard responsible. Jane is vain and I dislike her, surely, but not a murderer," Elizabeth replied. "Besides, I believe my mother was the only person whom Jane loved."
"Indeed," Darcy agreed. "I suppose the same might be said for Richard, he could not possibly be a murderer."
"It is so strange, though. First our fathers and now my mother." Elizabeth said, tears welling in her eyes.
Darcy came over to her, taking her hand and patting it soothingly. "We will get through this."
Elizabeth looked into his eyes, which were warm and caring. All of these years apart and this is what finally brings him back to me? Elizabeth asked herself.
"How was Mary when she found out?" Darcy asked, not wanting to express his love yet when Elizabeth had so much on her mind.
"She was very quiet. I expect she do not have many familial feelings toward our mother, as I do not," Elizabeth said stolidly. "But neither of us ever wished death upon her, no matter what she did." Elizabeth and Mary hardly mentioned their mother in their years since moving to London, with the exceptions of whatever latest scandal in which she was embroiled.
"Of course not. It is quite the shock regardless," Darcy said. He wondered what shockwaves went through his own family now, with Lord Radbourne's death. Surely his daughter and Darcy's aunt, Lady Matlock, would be reeling.
"Quite," Elizabeth said simply. Then she looked at him with a sudden gleam, saying, "What if the person behind our fathers' deaths is also behind this?"
"I suppose that could be possible," Darcy said, thinking.
"Do you think this might lead us to them? What if we call on Mr. Kingsway to see if he might assist us once more?" Elizabeth asked him, praying that he would help her investigate this time.
"Let us do that—I am sure Mr. Kingsway would be pleased to see you, regardless of if he is able to help us," Darcy said with a faint smile.
"Will you send word of our request?" Elizabeth questioned.
"Indeed. Elizabeth, you must rest. It has been a terrible evening and there will be much to attend to in the week ahead," Darcy said, extremely tired himself.
He was right; she knew it. She was wearied and likely needed to assist with arrangements. Elizabeth wondered if her Mother still employed that solicitor, Mr. Morris. She said goodbye to Darcy who left for his townhouse and went up to her bedchamber—where she was asleep at once.
After much needed rest, Elizabeth was collected by Darcy and his carriage, who had come to take them to Mr. Kingsway who wished to see them at once.
Elizabeth looked at him, still somewhat unable to believe that he was here with her. Darcy had grown substantially over all of her years of knowing him. He was tall and strapping like his father, George Darcy, must have been when he was young. He had dark hair that curled about his ears and the finest black eyes. It was difficult for her to keep her own off of him.
"How are you feeling this morning? How are your grandmother and Mary faring?" Darcy asked in earnest.
"I am fine. I was never close to my mother, but it pains me to think of some villain after our families," Elizabeth said. "Mary is saddened, but well. My grandmother is bereft, however. She loved my mother, despite all of her challenges. I worried about my sisters. Where will they go?"
"I understand. I have not yet seen Richard or heard from my mother or aunt," Darcy said. He was concerned for his cousin, whom he considered a brother, even though he could be pretty wild sometimes.
"I am sure they will be in touch without haste," Elizabeth said. They arrived at Mr. Kingsway's office, echoing the meeting they had in the same office some six years ago. She hoped that this meeting would not end as the last one did.
"Miss Bennet, Mr. Darcy. My sincerest condolences for your losses," Mr. Kingsway said. He was older now, but still the kind man that had helped them throughout the years.
Thanking him, they went into his office, which was still exactly as Elizabeth had remembered it. After recounting the night of the murders and their thoughts about it being connected to their fathers to the solicitor, Mr. Kingsway sighed with weariness.
"I suppose it is possible that they are connected. It seems very suspicious," the solicitor said.
"So, you will help us with the investigation?"
"Indeed. I regret that we did not solve the mystery regarding your father's death. I pray this brings us closure," Kingsway said.
Elizabeth and Darcy smiled at him. "Thank you, Kingsway," Fitzwilliam said.
"You have always helped us," Elizabeth said graciously.
Mr. Kingsway looked at the pair, considering. It might not be the most favourable time, surely, but Elizabeth was now twenty-one. "There is something else," Kingsway said seriously.
"Yes, what is it?" Darcy asked. Elizabeth looked between Darcy and Kingsway, curious.
"Before your fathers' fateful return to Hertfordshire, they visited me to sign a certain contract," Kingsway said gravely. "This contract betroths you both to be married. They wanted to form an alliance between the families, and in turn keep Darcy protected."
Elizabeth and Darcy looked shocked, staring at Kingsway. "Protect me from what?" Darcy asked.
"Not from what, but from whom. Your mother desired to marry you at a young age to your cousin Anne de Bourgh for reasons not well known to me," Kingsway began. George Darcy had given him explanation for this, but Kingsway thought it was best if Fitzwilliam's mother reveal that to him, in time. He continued, "Your father expressly did not want for that to happen. So he asked Mr. Bennet if he would agree to betroth you to Miss Elizabeth, seeing both of you were very fond of each other, when you were younger." Darcy and Elizabeth blushed and tried to avoid each other's gaze. "Mr. Bennet agreed, of course, but not before requiring a clause. I was not to tell either of you until Miss Bennet was of the majority, at which point you both would make a decision to agree to marry or null the contract."
Elizabeth was in shock. Papa wanted me to marry Fitzwilliam? she thought, mind racing. She finally turned to look at Darcy, who seemed just as surprised.
"I shall give you time to make your decision. Shall we say thirty days?" Kingsway asked kindly. He was pleased to finally be able to tell the young couple about the contract. There seemed to be no more animosity between them, and he prayed that they would agree, per their fathers' wishes.
"I think thirty days will be sufficient," Darcy said quietly. "Thank you, Mr. Kingsway."
"I agree," Elizabeth said, equally bashful.
Kingsway nodded. "Right. I hope to hear what you might have found regarding the investigation. I shall begin to ask questions—I might even be able to get audience with the magistrate."
Elizabeth, Darcy and Mr. Kingsway all agreed to meet in a week, after the funeral services of Lord Radbourne and Mrs. Bennet. Leaving the solicitor's office, they entered the waiting carriage, both mute with the discovery.
Neither of them said a word as they made way back to the Gibson townhouse, where Darcy wordlessly followed Elizabeth into the back garden. The charged silence made Elizabeth uneasy, reminding her of the last time they left the solicitor's office together.
"Are you very upset, then?" Elizabeth asked solemnly. She prepared herself for Darcy's anger. Instead, he surprised her.
"Upset?" Darcy said, sounding confused. "Elizabeth… I am elated. More than you may ever understand. Yesterday evening, I was going to confess to you about my feelings." Darcy wanted to say more, but on seeing Elizabeth's uncertain expression. He asked instead, "Are you upset? I realise that you likely do not return such affections."
"I am astonished, to be sure, but not upset," Elizabeth replied. The air around them seemed to buzz as they stared into each other's eyes.
"Elizabeth," Darcy said hoarsely. He couldn't stop himself and pulled her toward him, kissing her deeply. He was intoxicated with the taste of her, devouring her mouth with urgency. Elizabeth hesitated at first, but then consumed him in equal measure. Neither of them could have imagined such bliss.
Darcy pulled back, leaving them both gasping for breath. "I have been waiting since I was at least fifteen to do that," he said.
"What?" Elizabeth asked. She was in complete disbelief.
Darcy laughed, finally sure of himself. "Elizabeth, I have been utterly besotted with you since we were but children. I have tried to deny it for years, even went as far as calling you names. I am sorry for what I put you through. But I cannot any longer." He drew her up again, kissing her passionately.
"I thought you viewed me as merely an old friend?" Elizabeth asked as she pulled back, looking dazed.
"And I thought you viewed me as but a brother," Darcy said. "I tried for a time to send you messages through our letters—then I assumed you did not feel the same, so I ceased."
Elizabeth's mind raced, mentally going through his letters. "Ever since the night of the accident, I knew there was more between us. I could not name it, though, until the night we reconciled. If you had truly looked then, it would have been plain."
Darcy felt as though his heart might burst, hearing that she shared his feelings. He pulled her in close, inhaling the clean, floral scent of her hair.
"Marry me, my dear heart," Darcy declared suddenly. "Or permit me to court you at the very least, Elizabeth. I do not desire any more wasted years between us. Especially now that we know of the contract."
Elizabeth considered. "Fitzwilliam, you know I cannot. My mother's scandals have tainted me. You must marry someone more suitable, like Caroline Bingley. The contract did not have in mind the social pariah I would become," she said sadly. She could not allow him to throw away his life simply for her.
"Suitability be damned! I love you, Elizabeth," Darcy cried out. "You occupy my every thought—waking or asleep. There is no one else I want. Not Anne de Bourgh, not Caroline Bingley—you. Elizabeth, you are breath in my lungs and blood in my veins. Even our fathers knew it," Darcy's eyes burned into hers, imploring with her to choose him.
"I cannot, Fitzwilliam. I will not have your position completely ruined because of someone like me," Elizabeth said, completely taken aback. His words shook her to her core. He truly feels this way, even after all of these years, she thought.
"I shall wait then," Darcy declared. Suppressing the doubts of his legitimacy, he re-affirmed to himself that he did not care about society's opinion on marriage to Elizabeth.
"What?" Elizabeth asked incredulously.
"I shall wait until you are ready, until society forgets your mother's scandals. You may take all the time you need, truly—there is no other woman in London or beyond who could ever bewitch me the way you have, my love," Darcy said, his eyes dark with love, among other things.
Elizabeth felt her entire body flush with heat. "Fitzwilliam, you cannot waste your time waiting for me. There are so many other young women who would be a much better match." She desperately wanted to say yes, but she could not.
Darcy looked at her with fire in his eyes. "There is no one else, Elizabeth. No one, but you!"
Elizabeth stared at him, holding his dark gaze for what seemed like hours. "Surely, there is someone—"
"Only you, Elizabeth. I will spend every day proving that to you until you are ready."
Elizabeth exhaled, trembling slightly. "Fitzwilliam, I…" she trailed off.
"Take the time you require, Elizabeth," he said.
Elizabeth let out a shaky breath. "Right. Well, we ought to focus on the investigation. Do not kiss me again either," she said, changing the subject. If he were to kiss her again, she would not be able to say no again.
"Yes, madam," Darcy said, laughing. Then he leaned in, his breath tickling her ear, and whispered, "I will marry you, Elizabeth."
Elizabeth wondered if her resolve might last as long as she thought.
They spent the afternoon in conversation about the investigation, tactfully avoiding the topic of the marriage contract and Darcy's declaration of love. Then the butler announced Jane and Richard. Elizabeth and Darcy were surprised to see them.
"Jane, what are you doing here?" Elizabeth asked, confused.
"I might ask you the same, cousin," Darcy asked Richard, who looked at him with an expression he had not seen before. Was that arrogance?
"Grandmother sent for Mama's effects and I do not wish to have them," Jane said coolly.
"Did you notice anything unusual before you left Mother last night?" Elizabeth asked.
"We told the constables endless time. We talked with Mama for a few minutes. She was alive when we left. We went into the garden, for-for some fresh air. We were not fleeing!"
Elizabeth nodded and turned the conversation back to their mother's trunks, "Is there truly not anything you wish to have from Mother?" Elizabeth asked. Her sister never failed to surprise her.
"No. I will accompany Richard to the Clarendon Hotel—as will Lydia. After that, we will move to Wigston Hall, where I shan't need such relics," Jane said, smiling up at Richard flirtatiously.
"Yes, I've asked for some leaves and moved out of Darcy House," Richard said. "I think it suits my status better to wait for my inheritance at the Clarendon."
"Richard? Surely you are not… taking Miss Bennet?" Fitzwilliam asked, aghast. It was clear that Jane meant to accompany Richard for reasons most lascivious.
Richard looked at Darcy coldly, stating, "That is none of your concern, cousin."
"Have I done something to offend?" Darcy asked, confused as to Richard's strange demeanour.
Richard ignored him, much to Darcy's chagrin.
"Jane, may we speak privately?" Elizabeth asked.
Jane reluctantly agreed, bored already with what her sister had to say.
"What will happen to Kitty?" Elizabeth asked.
"She is no fun. Lydia and I do not want her underfoot. Grandmother agrees to take her in as well."
"You do not need to go with Richard, Jane," Elizabeth said, taking a deep breath. "You, Kitty and Lydia may very well stay here with us. I am sure Grandmother will agree to it— and I have some money, now."
"I have heard about your money," Jane said with disgust. "Surely you cannot expect us to live as you do."
Elizabeth kept her composure. "Jane, you cannot become a mistress. Look at what happened to our mother. At the very least send Lydia here—she needn't be exposed to such things any longer."
"What is wrong about being a mistress? Men admire them more than their wives. And I want Lydia with me, and I do not believe that she would entertain anything less. She is the perfect comparison I need, a silly fat girl who is vulgar and coarse. When we are together, she accentuates my poise and beauty. I am sure having a wealth of the romantic variety is certainly more favourable than your lowly work," Jane replied.
"I am proud of my work!" Elizabeth shot back.
"Indeed, you are," Jane mocked. "Yet Fitzwilliam will never marry you, carrying on in that manner."
That struck a nerve with Elizabeth. "You will be shamed, just as Mother was," she said harshly.
"No more shame than you shall have as a tradeswoman," Jane retorted.
"I would rather be shamed for being independent than to be shamed for exploiting a man I did not love for money," Elizabeth rebuked. "Ah, but I forget, you are just like Mother. I shall pray that you do not come to the same end."
Jane's eyes widened for a moment before returning to their usual aloof countenance. "I do hope that is not a threat, little sister." She sauntered out of the sitting room, where Elizabeth could hear her tell Richard that she was ready to leave and would see her grandmother on another day.
"And this is my sister!" Elizabeth exhaled. Darcy came into the room shortly thereafter, his face strained.
"What is the matter?" Elizabeth asked, coming up to him. "What did Richard have to say?"
"He said hardly anything at all, strangely. I asked him what the matter and he responded, 'Things are different now,'" Darcy recounted. "I do not understand it, but I do wonder if standoffishness is the result of Lord Radbourne's passing and the suspicions around them."
"Did you know that he and Jane were… entangled?" Elizabeth asked.
"Not at all," Darcy replied. "There have been plenty of balls and other gatherings we have attended where your mother and sisters were present. It is possible they might have had an affair ongoing for some time."
"Perhaps so," Elizabeth agreed, sighing. "Where did the servants put mother's belongings? Let me see that Kitty is settled and I will ask Grandmother for permission to look at Mother's belongings."
Kitty was crying for the unfairness of being left behind for the household of a tradesman. Elizabeth consoled her for a little while and left Mary to see to her comfort. She then talked to her Grandmother before returning to find Darcy. They looked at the trunks in the guest room that contained most of Mrs. Bennet's effects. Elizabeth noticed that they so happened that no jewels or gowns were included. I suppose Jane did have use of some things, after all, Elizabeth thought, shaking her head.
"There are journals in here," Darcy said, pulling out one that was marked 1806-1807. "From the time of the accident and her claims."
Elizabeth nodded, urging him to go on. "We have to read it."
They spent the next hour frantically reading Mrs. Bennet's journals, scanning for any possible clue of who would have killed their fathers and her. What Elizabeth and Darcy found was Mrs. Bennet's obsession with wealth and her unhappiness. It did not seem like she knew about anything about the carriage accident, causing them to both breathe a sigh of relief. The journal seemed to be mostly angry drivel and her never-ending hatred of the late Mr. Bennet and Mr. Darcy.
The next page, however, detailed her first scheme.
I had not expected to tell Mr. Kingsway that George Darcy was not Fitzwilliam's father. Yet, I could not let Darcy's fortune escape me much longer. The insipid brat charged in and ready to deny me of any of his money. I knew what to do at once. There was too much at stake. Besides, after learning about Fitzwilliam's half-sister, who has been hidden in Kent, it seems that another bastard would not be too unbelievable.
He did. "It should have never doubted Father!" Darcy said, shamed face. He turned to Elizabeth, but found her startled.
"My love, what did you find?" Fitzwilliam asked urgently.
Elizabeth turned to him, shaken. "A dagger," she whispered.
"To whom might that belong?" Darcy asked, stunned. He peered into the trunk, gingerly picking up the weapon to examine it. "There are these strange, looping patterns on it."
"Maybe it belongs to Papa," Elizabeth said. "My mother may have kept it for defence."
"May be. Yet I cannot help but wonder if it is a clue."
"What could these patterns mean?" Elizabeth questioned.
"I don't know, Elizabeth," Darcy said firmly. "But we will find out."